Care groups. Predictors for utilisation and expected quality from the dementia caregiver's point of view

To relieve family caregivers of dementia patients the utilisation of care groups should be fostered. In order to do this the influencing factors must be investigated. Which variables of the care situation, the family caregivers and their attitudes act as predictors for the utilisation of care groups? What are the views of family caregivers about the quality of care groups? A cross-sectional study was carried out as an anonymous, written survey of family caregivers of dementia patients in four regions of Germany. There was a 20 % response rate and the quantitative and qualitative data from 404 family caregivers were analysed. Predictors for utilisation were evaluated using binary logistic regression analysis. The answers about quality were evaluated using qualitative content analysis. Additionally ten telephone interviews with people from managerial positions in care groups, regarding their concept of quality, were carried out. Besides estimating how helpful the support of a care group is for their own care situation, only the level of education of the caregiver is a significant predictor for utilisation - lower education level, higher utilisation. Family caregivers, who had already had experience with a care group, expressed a wish for an adequate form of occupation for the dementia patient such as physical exercise or play followed by "well-trained" staff and a loving atmosphere in the care group. In order to increase the rate of utilisation, family caregivers must be convinced of the relevant advantages of using care groups.